The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on February 7, 2005 was called to order by Mayor John Bishop at 7:00 P.M.
PRESENT: John W. Bishop, Jr., Mayor
John F. Hagmann, Trustee
Robert J. Schanz, Trustee
Timothy A. Lane, Trustee
Ronald H. Miller, Trustee
William T. Smith, Jr., Clerk-Treasurer
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney
John T. Stangle, Jr., Exec. Asst. to Mayor
Also attending: Residents Bill Garvey, Paul Cooney, Connie Van Buren, Monica Sharpe, Ruth & Jack Harbour, Joyce O'Brien, Shelagh Nugent, Meg Grenier, Paula Murphy, Dot Schanz, Nancy Dignum, Tom Michel, Dianne MacFarland, John Murphy, Dave LaFleur, Jim Long, Gert Kutz, Chuck Price, John & Carol Blaauboer, Denise Stangle
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Resident Bill Garvey presented the Board with a proposal for a Cod Fish Farm & Hatchery on the eastside of Broadway in the vicinity of the reconstructed railroad bridge. The Mayor explained that the Village does not have an Agriculture Zone; therefore, the project would not be allowed. Mr. Garvey asked that the Mayor respond to his inquiry in writing.
Paul Cooney advised the Mayor and Board that he would like to terminate his association with the Zoning Board of Appeals effective with his term expiration date this year. He will stay on until a replacement is found. The Mayor thanked Paul for his efforts with the ZBA and the many other inputs he has had over the years.
Connie Van Buren inquired about the new garbage regulations. Trustee Lane advised her that copies of various laws were received and that a new law would be developed taking the sections that are needed from the samples. Ms. Van Buren also asked that when the Village snowblows the sidewalk in front of her home they don't put the snow on her lawn. She also inquired as to the manholes on Broadway in front of her house — the house shakes when trucks hit them.
Residents Denise Stangle, Dot Schanz, Shelagh Nugent, Meg Grenier and others led a discussion concerning the Board's possible institution of fees for the use of the pavilion at Ganser Smith Memorial Park. Trustee Hagmann explained that nothing was decided and that the Board had asked for information about other communities in the area and what they do. He also thanked people for their input into the process and that it is great to hear from everyone. John Murphy stated that he thought the idea of outside organizations paying a nominal fee would be fine as long as the residents, businesses and non-profits of the Village don't. Trustee Miller stated he may be in favor of a change if the money went into a special fund for Park improvements. Trustee Schanz stated the current plan has worked for 40 years
and sees no need for a change.
Trustee Schanz then offered a motion to leave the current plan for reserving the Pavilion with a $100 refundable deposit in place for another year.
Trustee Hagmann voting NO
Trustee Schanz voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting NO
Trustee Miller voting NO
Mayor Bishop voting NO
Trustee Miller stated he did not feel the Board had received enough information and asked Trustee Hagmann to supply the other Board members with more information for the next Board meeting.
Jim Long stated that the views of those present at the meeting are an important part of government and that he hoped more people would attend other board meeting as the Board needs their input on many items that come before it.
A motion was made by Trustee Lane, seconded by Trustee Schanz, to accept the minutes of the January 18, 2005 meeting.
Adopted: Trustee Hagmann voting AYE
Trustee Schanz voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Bishop voting AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Schanz, seconded by Trustee Lane, to approve payment for the following:
WARRANT # 17
GENERAL totaling $ 67,146.27
WATER totaling 4,930.13
PAYROLL #17 totaling 66,104.91
PAYROLL #18 totaling 57,206.05
Adopted: Trustee Hagmann voting AYE
Trustee Schanz voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Bishop voting AYE
Trustee Schanz offered, seconded by Trustee Lane, the following resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLVED, that Vincent Spataro, Frank Fournier, Ann Bacher and Elaine Habbinger and Gloria Stromberg are hereby appointed Inspectors of Election to preside at all Village Elections pursuant to section 15-116 of the Election Law, and be it further
RESOLVED, that such inspectors of Election shall be paid at the rate of $70.00 per day for each day served upon audit by the Board of Trustees, and be it further
RESOLVED, that Vincent Spataro be, and hereby is, constituted an designated to act as Chairman of such Inspectors of Election, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Village Clerk-Treasurer be, and he hereby is, directed to notify such Inspectors of Election of their appointment; and to direct that they shall take and subscribe the constitutional and statutory oath of office.
Adopted: Trustee Hagmann voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Schanz voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Bishop voting AYE
The Clerk reminded the Board that a public hearing would be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2nd for the purpose of presenting the results of a water and sewer infrastructure study performed for the Village in 2003 and 2004.
The Clerk advised the Board that he had checked with CT Male and the estimate for the Grant for Engineering the water line replacement for Tillinghast Avenue of $19,000 is still adequate. After a discussion Trustee Lane offered, seconded by Trustee Schanz, a resolution authorizing a change order to the existing contract with C.T. Male for the Tillinghast Avenue Water Main Replacement-Design Costs Project in fulfillment of the Community Development Block Grant the Village received in 2004.
ADOPTED: Trustee Hagmann voting AYE
Trustee Schanz voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Bishop voting AYE
The Clerk advised the Board that he has received the new Solid Waste Collection License from the Town, the current license expires 03-05. There is no increase in Villages dumping fees.
Trustee Schanz offered, seconded by Trustee Hagmann, a resolution authorizing the Clerk to sign the Town of Colonie's Solid Waste Collection License.
Adopted: Trustee Hagmann voting AYE
Trustee Schanz voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Bishop voting AYE
Trustee Schanz offered, seconded by Trustee Hagmann, the following resolution and moved its adoption:
WHEREAS, Albany County has been awarded a Water Quality Improvement Grant for Phase II MS-4 Storm Water Permit Implementation from the Environmental Protection Fund in cooperation with participating MS4 communities within the County of Albany, and
WHEREAS, The Village of Menands is a participating MS4 community identified in the County's grant and wishes to cooperate and participate in this program
NOW, THEREFORE, be it
RESOLVED, that the Village of Menands hereby acknowledges that it will participate and cooperate with Albany County with respect to the grant from the Environmental Protection Fund that has been awarded to address MS4 Phase II Stormwater Permit Implementation.
Adopted: Trustee Hagmann voting AYE
Trustee Schanz voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Bishop voting AYE
The Clerk led a discussion concerning the possible purchase of some land from the Mohawk Hudson River Humane Society, afterwhich the Clerk was directed to do some further research.
The Clerk advised the Board that our Workers Compensation carrier, PERMA, will be presenting a 20 year award to the Village at its annual meeting in May. Also, the Mohawk Hudson Association of Village Officials Winter Conference is scheduled for February 20, 2005 and reservations are due by February 14th.
Trustee Hagmann read a draft of a letter he composed for distribution to the residents and businesses discussing the water rate increase. Trustee Hagmann said he would e-mail the letter to members of the Board for their comments and suggestions and hoped to get the letter to the Village Clerk in a week so the letter could be mailed to everyone before the end of the month.
Trustee Miller discussed the Quality Communities Grant Proposal that the Village was preparing. Trustee Miller also stated that the Town of Colonie was holding a public hearing on the Town's Master Plan on Wednesday, February 9th from 7 — 9 p.m. at the Crossings. Trustee Miller will be attending and hoped others would also attend.
Dianne MacFarland inquired as to the moratorium that was discussed concerning car dealerships. Ms. MacFarland was advised a zoning change would be required and, at this time, no moratorium is set.
John Stangle advised the Board that changes to the Website are in progress and that the Board Minutes for the last year are posted. He also mentioned he had a discussion with LaCorte Companies concerning a contract for fixing the new lights on Broadway and that they recommend a simple contract with hourly fees. John also inquired as to the need for a public hearing on the Service Award Program. The Clerk did not think one was required but would check on it.
At 8:54 p.m., a motion was made by Trustee Lane, seconded by Trustee Hagmann, to enter into executive session.
Adopted: Trustee Hagmann voting AYE
Trustee Schanz voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Bishop voting AYE
The regular meeting reconvened at 9:14 P.M.
Trustee Schanz offered, seconded by Trustee Hagmann, the following resolution and moved its adoption:
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE GRATITUDE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND THE PEOPLE OF THE VILLAGE OF MENANDS TO
CAROL F. BLAAUBOER AND HONORING HER UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM THE VILLAGE OF MENANDS
WHEREAS, Carol and her husband John, along with their children, Robin, Jeffrey, Wayne, Doreen and Kirstin moved from West Sand Lake to Menands in 1971, beginning over 30 years of public service to the Village, and
WHEREAS, after arriving in Menands, Carol was instrumental as a founding member of Riverside Volunteer Ambulance, serving as an Emergency Medical Technician and Lieutenant for many years, and
WHEREAS, during her first year in Menands, Carol contacted Social Services offering her services as a foster mother and, over the years, opened her heart and home to countless foster children, and
WHEREAS, Carol has served as a church school teacher, girl scout leader, school bus driver, police matron and presently serves as a member of the Menands Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, adding to her selfless accomplishments, and
WHEREAS, Carol F. Blaauboer was appointed a Village of Menands part-time dispatcher on August 25, 1984 and a full-time dispatcher on January 30, 1987, serving as supervisory dispatcher for the past 12 years, and
WHEREAS, having served the Police Department, the Fire Company and the entire Village faithfully and well for over 20 years, Carol commenced her well deserved retirement from these labors on November 26, 2004, and
WHEREAS, Carol has been, and is, held in the highest esteem by members of this board who have noted her stellar character, superb sense of humor and genuine kindness to all in her capacities both as a dispatcher and as a neighbor, and
NOW, THEREFORE, be it
RESOLVED, that the members of this board, personally and on behalf of the citizens of this Village, extend our most sincere thanks and heartfelt gratitude to our friend, Carol Blaauboer, not only for her diligent efforts, but also for her personal commitment to making the Village of Menands a wonderful place to live and raise a family, and be it further
RESOLVED, that this Board offers Carol best wishes for a long, fulfilling and healthy life in retirement with her husband, John and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchild, and be it further
RESOLVED, that when this meeting adjourns, it does so in appreciation of the many services so generously rendered to this Village by our friend, Carol Blaauboer.
ADOPTED: Mayor Bishop voting AYE
Trustee Hagmann voting AYE
Trustee Schanz voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
It was noted that the next Village Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 22nd due to the observance of President's Day on February 21st. It was also noted that Registration Day for Village Elections will be held at the Menands Firehouse on March 5, 2005 from noon to 5 p.m. A motion was made by Trustee Miller, seconded by Trustee Lane, to adjourn.
Adopted: Trustee Hagmann voting AYE
Trustee Schanz voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Bishop voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
_____________________
William T. Smith, Jr.
Clerk-Treasurer
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